straggle
straggle — 動詞
- stragglepresent simple I / you / we / they
- straggleshe / she / it
- straggledpast simple
- straggling-ing form
1. to be spread out over a space in a messy or irregular arrangement — for example,
散落；蔓延
雜亂地分散或延伸
to be spread out over a space in a messy or irregular arrangement — for example, houses built along a road with no clear plan, or plants growing in different directions rather than in neat rows.
The small fishing village straggled along the coast for nearly two miles.
這個小漁村沿著海岸散落了將近兩英里。
straggle along + location (spatial spread)
Apinya's damp hair straggled across her face after the sudden rainstorm.
驟雨過後，Apinya 濕漉漉的頭髮散落在臉上。
Ivy straggled over the old stone wall, covering most of it by late summer.
長春藤凌亂地爬滿了古老的石牆，到夏末時覆蓋了大部分牆面。
straggle over + surface (plant growth)
A few late shoppers still straggled through the market after most stalls had closed.
大多數攤位關門後，仍有少數晚到的顧客零零星星地逛著市場。
The houses straggled up the hillside with no clear street or numbering plan.
這些房屋毫無規劃地散落在山坡上，沒有清楚的街道或門牌編號。
- straggle along
- straggle across
- straggle over
- straggle down
- straggle up
文法句型
straggle + adverb (along, across, over, down)
用法筆記
Often combined with an adverb of direction (along, across, over, down, up). The subject is usually something that can be spread over an area — buildings, plants, hair, or scattered people.
常見錯誤
2. to lose ground compared to other members of a moving group, falling gradually be
落後
落後於同行隊伍
to lose ground compared to other members of a moving group, falling gradually behind as they move ahead.
The three youngest children straggled behind their parents on the long forest walk.
三個最小的孩子走在父母後面，在漫長的森林步道上漸漸落後。
straggle behind + group (lagging motion)
Evelyn straggled far behind the other runners during the final kilometre of the race.
Evelyn 在比賽的最後一公里遠遠落後於其他跑者。
A few tired tourists straggled after the guide, stopping to take photos every few minutes.
幾位疲憊的觀光客落在導遊後面，每走幾分鐘就停下來拍照。
straggle after + person (following slowly)
Ishaan straggled behind the group, his backpack far too heavy for the steep mountain trail.
Ishaan 落後在隊伍後面，他的背包對這段陡峭的山路來說太重了。
By the third hour of the march, several soldiers had begun to straggle badly.
行軍到第三個小時時，好幾名士兵已經開始明顯落後。
- straggle behind
- straggle after
- straggle badly
- began to straggle
- lag
suggests falling behind due to lack of speed or energy
- trail
suggests following at a distance, often deliberately
- fall behind
more common in everyday speech and less literary
文法句型
straggle + behind/after + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always intransitive — you cannot 'straggle someone'. The preposition behind is the most common complement; after is also used.
常見錯誤
3. to move away from a direct path, route, or expected direction, often without a c
偏離；亂走
偏離正確路線或方向
to move away from a direct path, route, or expected direction, often without a clear purpose or plan.
The narrow path straggled away from the river and disappeared into a thick bamboo grove.
狹窄的小徑偏離河流，消失在一片茂密的竹林之中。
straggle away from + path (literal direction change)
Camille straggled off the main road and found herself in an unfamiliar neighbourhood.
Camille 偏離了主要道路，來到了一個陌生的社區。
Niran glanced at his phone and straggled off the hiking trail, ending up near a small waterfall.
Niran 看了一眼手機，便偏離了登山步道，最後來到一座小瀑布附近。
straggle off + noun phrase (path deviation)
The narrow track straggled away from the coastal road and wound through the dunes.
狹窄的小徑偏離了沿海公路，蜿蜒穿過沙丘。
straggle away from + noun (route deviation)
- straggle off
- straggle from
- straggle away
- straggle across
- stay on course
remain on the intended path or plan
文法句型
straggle + off/from/away
用法筆記
Can be used literally (of people or paths leaving a course) or figuratively (of thoughts or attention wandering). The figurative use is less common.
常見錯誤
straggle — 名詞
1. a small, scattered group of people or things that are spread out unevenly rather
散落的一群
雜亂分散的人或物
a small, scattered group of people or things that are spread out unevenly rather than gathered closely together.
A straggle of reporters waited outside the courthouse, hoping for a statement.
一群零零散散的記者在法院外等候，希望獲得一些消息。
a straggle of + plural noun (countable noun pattern)
A straggle of small fishing boats dotted the harbour in the early morning light.
黎明時分，港灣裡散落著幾艘小漁船。
A straggle of tired passengers stumbled off the overnight train onto the cold platform.
一群疲憊的乘客零零落落地從夜班火車上跌跌撞撞地走到冰冷的月臺上。
Walkers formed a straggle along the ridge, spread out over nearly half a kilometre.
健行者沿著山脊零零散散地排開，蔓延了將近半公里。
- a straggle of
- formed a straggle
- scattering
more neutral; implies things spread over an area without the untidy connotation
- handful
emphasises small number rather than disorderly arrangement
- sprawl
suggests a wider, more uncontrolled spread
文法句型
a straggle of + plural noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in the pattern 'a straggle of + plural noun'. The singular 'straggle' by itself (without 'of') is very rare. Usually refers to an untidy-looking group that lacks order.